Sacha Baron Cohen's new role as a fictional Middle Eastern tyrant in his movie "The Dictator" is causing plenty of controversy.

Commentators like Dean Obeidallah have criticized the actor, who is not of Middle Eastern descent, for portraying an Arab man, especially since the character is intended to reflect stereotypes.

Actor and comedian Aasif Mandvi of "The Daily Show" talked to CNN's Suzanne Malveaux about what he sees as Hollywood's "whitewashing," or casting white actors in ethnic roles. In the video above, Mandvi gives his take on why he thinks "whitewashing" persists, even in an ever-growing multicultural society.

Here's the thing though-Sacha Baron Cohen is of Mizrahi Jewish descen(the MIzrahi are Jews from North Africa, other Arab countriesand Iran, and are essentially Arabs or Persians who are culturally Jewish(Sacha Baron Cohen's OWN family emigrated to Britain from Iraq in the 1940's). Therefore, Sacha Baron Cohen IS of "Middle Eastern" descent.

Gee, let's have a real Arab portray himself as a Middle Eastern dictator or terrorist. Yeah "no whitewashing" there. How about stereotyping? So it's an absurd complaint if you asked me. If you have real Arabs, they will be slammed for stereotyping. The whole point of Cohen's comedies is to be politically INCORRECT.

I totally agree with Aasif...sick and tired of Arab stereotypes ALWAYS being portrayed...how refreshing it would be to actually see REAL Arabs on screen. The day an Arab plays the part of a Jew, I'll be the first one here writing (like folks above), " "hey, its only acting for c sake".

Give me a break... if that guy wants to make a movie about a comedic terrorist, starring an actual Arab, nobody is stopping him. I love these backseat quarterbacks who only pipe up once someone else took the initiative to create something first.

Wasn't The Hunger Games an example of Hollywood averting whitewashing? Significant characters like Cinna and Rue were played by Blacks.

As for The Dictator, it's a project that was shepherded by Sacha Baron Cohen. The character was never going to be portrayed by anyone but himself, as his comic persona is integral to the film's appeal. Whitewashing is still certainly a problem in some respects today but I don't think these two films are anywhere near the best examples.